Brandy, thanks for all the good tips and ideas - I've started a notebook of just my notes and ideas on meals, shopping, etc. and am including much of your information.

Yes, I will be making a mid-week stop for produce and dairy, but that's easily confined to Aldi's. 

I feel like my kitchen is stocked well enough, and I have plenty of meal plans, both pre-planned and stand-by.  It's just the emotional thing of dh's day off and what he feels it should include - he really enjoys grocery shopping, only waaay too much, lol.  He loves to read the ads and go to several different stores for the sale items - but it sure adds up.  He's worked a lot of OT lately, and with only me doing the shopping, our budget is much more in line with the limit we should be spending each week...now if I could stretch it to two weeks without him feeling deprived of his 'fix'...**sigh**  Liz

besdies cuts of meat and fish and chicken in bulk. I like to but bread at the stores especially discount bread of all kinds mixed buns etc. and freeze. I usually get these for less $2. Also I like to make meatballs in bulk, hamburgers wrapped up in saran wrap for the bbq, or frozen bananas frozen in ziplock bags.

Last week the large cheese blocks were on sale for $4.99 each so I bought two and froze one. I go to Cavendish Farms(fry factory) and buy from the dealers itself. its alot cheaper in bulk clear bags, 1/2 the price of one normal size bag of fries or hashbrowns, golden crowns, etc.

I go to ADL milk manufacture place and buy everything from boneless skinless chk to  dry powder milk there. They have alot stuff with long list there to buy from. I do that at least 3 times a year to put in freezer.

Agreeing on a plan is the hard part, Liz. Good luck.

 I agree with Pat, for us it is the expense first.  I use this method for bulk buying.  I take a copy of a grocery list:

http://www.donnayoung.org/household/fullsize/ffiles/kifiles/grocery.pdf

Then I note what we have on hand.  On an exact copy I note what we will use for one month, then I multiply by 13.  This gives me a pretty good idea of what I use in a year and what I have on hand.

I know from experience that we will eat 2 bone in hams and 2 boneless hams a year, so I wait until Christmas or Easter and stock up.   We eat about 28 pounds of pork a year, so I stock up in the spring and fall at slaughter time, and only buy the cuts we eat, and so on.

I always buy bulk spices and herbs

We buy almost all our starches, rice, pasta, instant potatoes, grains in bulk.

We love tuna and salmon canned, so we buy 48 cans of each when we hit a good sale. Other fishes, such as clams, smoked oysters, canned crab we buy as we come across a good deal.

We do the same for each room in the house, inventorying everything in that room. I know when I need new linens, new socks, toothbrushes, etc., just by checking my inventory.  And it helps me keep things purged.  : ) 

 These are fantastic tips, Michelle! I have something of an inventory list but not this detailed and all I can say is DUH. That would help as I look to stocking up in greater quantities.

 Thanks, glad to help!

Michelle,

    Thanks for the link for the printout lists!  I made quite a few copies for myself, my neighbor and a few for my Mother.  My Mother will probably turn the paper over and write notes.  She just turned 87 yrs. old and she has more speed and energy than people less then half her age.  She hates to cook and she lives off ice cream, chocolate bars, and pound cake.  She only weighs 105lbs. so she must be doing something right.  I wish I could get away with a diet like hers!

      Melanie 

 LOl that sounds just like an Aunt of mine. Her last few years, she would only eat pringle potato chips, butterscotch candy and very black coffee. My mom cooks and doesnt eat it. I always tell her to call me. Dont throw it out. Someone will eat that food! Babs

 You're welcome!  So how do you use the lists, for short term shopping or long term bulk buying?  For my Gram it was pickled pigs feet and soda crackers, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for snacks.  lol

Well maybe after a certain age, you just want to eat what you what to eat lol. My mom is only 63 and lives off cookies and cakes for breakfast and lunch most of the time. Except she has to lay off them very once and a while when her jeans get to tight or start walking a lot more :) then starts all over.